10g guns for bird hunting is way overkill regardless of if thats what its "designed to do" . I have used both 3.5" and 3" loads a lot goose hunting and the 3.5" packs more kick with out looking like an a$$hole trying to flock geese at way too long of range.

I also used my 870 for close range coyote hunting on my family's ranch in wyoming. That 870 would drop a dog like nothing. That paired with my mini 14 is the perfect coyote setup.